US-Iran Tensions: The US paused Iran strikes for a second straight night as Houthis hit Saudi oil installations and Iran said it halted retaliatory attacks against Gulf states and US interests, while talks with Oman on Hormuz safe passage reportedly made “some progress.” Maritime & Energy Shock: The Red Sea and Caspian Sea remain flashpoints, with Ukraine accusing Russia of sharing satellite surveillance with Iran to enable targeting. Lebanon/Hezbollah: Analysts warn Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire hinges on whether Hezbollah can be constrained or disarmed without triggering civil war, as Israel weighs buffer-zone aims and Iran backs the group. West Bank Violence: Israeli settlers torched mosques and vandalized communities near Nablus amid renewed clashes. Iraq-US Reset: A new Iraqi prime minister’s Washington visit is framed as a shift from militia security ties toward economic partnership, with militia disarmament central to the agenda. UK Legal Politics: A UK solicitor general appointment is under fire after resurfaced 2010 meetings with Hamas-linked figures. Regional Governance & Cost of Living: Cebu-Bohol formed a joint panel to tackle food inflation, while NCR’s first tranche of a P85 wage hike took effect. Sports Diplomacy: F1 confirmed the Bahrain Grand Prix will be held in Malaysia at Sepang in October after Middle East conflict disrupted the original calendar.